Scuf Envision Pro V2 Review: A Great PC Controller With Limits
▼ Summary
– The Scuf Envision Pro V2 is a highly customizable PC controller designed for gamers who want the extra buttons of a keyboard and mouse with the comfort of a controller.
– Its physical build quality is excellent, featuring superb buttons, triggers, and a comfortable, premium design with Hall Effect thumbsticks to prevent drift.
– The controller is severely hampered by its required Corsair iCue software, which is unstable, complex, lacks proper tutorials, and frequently loses connection.
– It is a niche, expensive product best suited for dedicated PC-only gamers who will deeply customize it, but it is overwhelming and not recommended for most players.
– While it offers unmatched customization when working properly, its high price, software issues, and PC-only compatibility make more versatile and user-friendly alternatives appealing.
Finding a premium controller that bridges the gap between a traditional gamepad and a keyboard can be a challenge for dedicated PC gamers. The Scuf Envision Pro V2 enters this niche with an ambitious array of programmable buttons and deep customization, aiming to deliver the best of both worlds. Its premium build and satisfying tactile feel are undeniable highlights, yet the experience is heavily dependent on software that often feels more like an obstacle than a tool. This creates a paradox: a device designed for ultimate control can feel frustratingly complex to actually control.
Bespoke PC controllers remain a specialized segment, and the Envision Pro V2 pushes that specialization even further. It’s built for players who crave the extra hotkeys of a keyboard but prefer the ergonomic form of a controller. After extensive testing across various titles, the controller’s potential is clear. The highly adjustable control schemes and brilliantly clicky buttons can genuinely change how you play fast-paced games. However, this potential is locked behind a wall of software instability and a steep learning curve that many will find prohibitive.
The most significant hurdle is the mandatory Corsair iCue software. The initial setup is clunky, offering little guidance for newcomers. More critically, the connection between the software and the controller is notoriously unstable. It frequently requires unplugging and reconnecting the wired connection just for the device to register. A physical switch on the back toggles between wired and wireless modes, adding an unexpected layer of complexity. The core appeal of a controller is often its simplicity, but the Envision Pro V2 demands constant tinkering. Even after considerable time, confidently knowing which profile was active or whether the RGB lighting was correctly synced felt like a gamble.
When everything functions correctly, the controller excels. The symmetrical stick layout is comfortable, and the overall design feels sleek and sturdy without being overly heavy. The buttons are a genuine standout, offering a crisp, mouse-like click that is endlessly satisfying. The triggers are smooth and responsive, and the inclusion of Hall Effect thumbsticks is a welcome premium feature that helps prevent stick drift. The array of extra inputs, including four back paddles, side-mounted SAX buttons, and five G-Keys on the face, provides nearly endless mapping possibilities for commands like voice chat or grenade throws.
Yet, the high price point is difficult to justify for anyone who won’t fully exploit every feature. For general gaming, many of these additions, like the centrally-located G-Keys, may go unused or even become a nuisance if pressed accidentally. While competitors like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or Xbox Elite Series 2 are often more expensive, they typically offer better software stability and broader platform compatibility. The Envision Pro V2 is strictly for Windows PC, which limits its versatility compared to other premium pads.
Performance is a tale of two halves. As a physical input device, it’s fantastic, with excellent response times from all its buttons and triggers. You can save basic profiles directly to the controller’s onboard memory. However, accessing its full capabilities, like the G-Keys or advanced lighting, requires iCue to be running in the background. This can impact system performance, and when the software loses its connection, a common occurrence, those premium features instantly disable. This forces players to tab out of games to troubleshoot, breaking immersion and highlighting the package’s fundamental flaw.
Ultimately, the Scuf Envision Pro V2 is a brilliantly engineered controller hampered by unreliable software. It represents a compelling idea for a very specific user: the PC-only enthusiast who revels in meticulously configuring every aspect of their hardware and doesn’t mind wrestling with clunky programs to do so. For that person, the unparalleled level of customization might be worth the effort and cost. For the vast majority of gamers seeking a reliable, premium plug-and-play experience, the frustrations presented by its software ecosystem make it a difficult recommendation.
(Source: TechRadar)
